Thomas Davis Currie

Thomas Davis Currie of Southport died Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the age of 90.

He was born in Hoke County on November 12, 1932, the next to youngest of seven children, to the late Albert Roland Currie and Kate Davis Currie.

Growing up during the Great Depression, his early years were spent on the family farm living off the land, learning to cultivate and harvest cash crops like cotton and tobacco and developing an appreciation for the value of education. Upon graduation from Hoke County High School he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, putting his electrical skills to work.

After four years he was honorably discharged and enrolled at N.C. State University. He graduated in four years as an electrical engineer and took a job with General Electric in their management training program for 13 years in Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania. He was active in the Presbyterian Church in Salem, Virginia.

He was recruited to start a plant in Chatham, Virginia for Times Wire and Cable, now known as Times Fiber Communications. He was active raising his children and Chatham Presbyterian Church. Before he retired, he did a joint venture with China where he successfully built and started a plant there. He traveled all over the world before Parkinson's disease took over his life.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn McKenzie; a son, John D. Currie; and his six siblings, Irving Currie, Frank Currie, Eugene Currie, Jean Currie, Sarah Currie, and Robert Neil Currie.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Currie; a daughter, Nancy Currie; a son, Neil Currie and wife Beth; a grandson, Graham Currie; a step-daughter, Vicki Dorman and husband Neal; a step-son, John Martin; and four step-grandchildren, Clay Dorman, Tanner Dorman, Lance Dorman, and Ryan Martin.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Oak Island Evangelical Presbyterian Church. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. the same day at Antioch Presbyterian Church in Red Springs. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Currie family.

Ray Howard Jones

Master Sgt. (Ret.) Ray Howard Jones died peacefully in his sleep December 21, 2022 at Autumn Care of Raeford at the age of 88.

He was born in Laurel, Mississippi on July 15, 1934 to the late Robert Roy Jones and Gettie Nichols Jones.

He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the choir. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Special Forces with the U.S. Army after 28 years of service.

After his military career, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was the owner and operator of Ray H. Jones Farm and Livestock feed company. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Hester Jones; three sons, Roy E. Jones of Roaring Gap, Dr. Ray L. Jones of Ronceverte, West Virginia, and Ronald H. Jones (Elizabeth McBride) of Raeford; two grandchildren, Johnathon Jones (Jessica) of Louisburg, and Megan E. Jones of Ronceverte, West Virginia; and four great-grandchildren, Naville, Arilyn, Orion, and Rory.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 23, 2022 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church with Reverend Tommy Underwood officiating. Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive visitors afterward in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Judith McKenzie Toole

Judith McKenzie Toole died Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice in Moore County at the age of 75.

Born February 16, 1947 in Moore County, she was the daughter of the late Archibald "Archie" McKenzie and Vera Lois Moore McKenzie.

She graduated from Pinehurst High School. Afterward, she attended both Old Dominion University and High Point University where she received degrees in teaching as well as journalism. She worked as an editor for the Robesonian in Lumberton and for the Whiteville and Raeford newspapers. She also served as a guardian ad litem for the department of social services.

Her late husband Franklin Toole Jr. worked as a minister for numerous churches in which she was a member. These churches include Westminster Presbyterian Church in Whiteville; Holmes Presbyterian Church in Cheriton, Virginia; Antioch Presbyterian Church in Raeford; Culdee Church in Eastwood; and Troy Presbyterian Church in Troy.

She enjoyed crafts and would often step in as the pianist for the churches where her late husband ministered. Before being diagnosed with MS, she would often hit the golf course with her son Benjamin. She loved cooking and also edited a cooking column for the paper she worked for.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; and a brother, Robert Earl McKenzie.

She is survived by her son, Benjamin James Toole; step-children, Benjamin Coleman Toole and Timothy O'Toole; brother, Archie McKenzie and his wife Karen; nieces and nephews, Jason Cameron and his wife Jennifer, Anna Liles and her husband Joshua, Maegan McKenzie, Emily Holland and her husband Ramone, Robert "Buster" McKenzie and Charles "Charlie" McKenzie; as well as many great-nieces and nephews; and her faithful dog, Gizmo.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Judith's honor to the MS Research Institute, or/and to First Health Hospice in Moore County.

Services entrusted to Midstate Cremation and Funeral Service.